Chairman Bond Should Return to the Board as Chair

WASHINGTON, Dec. 1 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- After serving 10 years as
Chairman of the National Board of Directors for the NAACP, Julian Bond
announced on November 13th that he will not be seeking reelection when his
term ends this coming February. With our country just days away from a
singular political, governmental, economic and cultural transition that bursts
forward from the very core of the NAACP's mission and all of our long-held
aspirations, now - this moment of great hope - is not the time for more
upheaval and change. Julian Bond needs to remain Chairman of the NAACP.

"America is poised for change with the election of the country's first
African American President and the NAACP should not only be a central part of
that change but should be the initiators and collaborators of this change,"
says Lamell McMorris, member of the search committee for the President and CEO
and Special Contributions Fund Trustee of the NAACP. "Considering all the
implications that our President-Elect can and will have for our movement, it
is only right to keep consistent our organization's goals and objectives in
ensuring the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights
for all persons."

Over the past year alone, Chairman Bond has led the organization through
the untimely departure of a President and CEO and the selection of a new one,
numerous legal and legislative victories, voter registration and education
initiatives, and been a steady voice as we have sought to maintain and raise
the NAACP banner in this nation.

Now is the time for the organization to define its role in the political
and social climate of this nation in light of a historic election, utilize a
tremendous opportunity to enhance the brand and mission of the organization
around a centennial celebration, seek to identify and secure new funding for
the future of existing and emerging programs and initiatives, develop and
recruit talented personnel, examine the organization's fiscal and governance
structure, and finally excite a new generation of servant leaders that will
see value in our mission.

The board should, as soon as possible, take a vote to ask Chairman Bond to
stay on for at least 12 months. At the same time, a task force should be
established to work with President and CEO Benjamin Jealous and his leadership
team and Chairman Bond, to ensure a smooth transition centered around a
strategic plan to be presented to the National Board at the time and date
designated for an election for a new Chairman.

It is not in the best interest of the NAACP to have such an experienced
and key historical figure, like Julian Bond, resign at this time.